-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Former Argentina international defender Fernando Caceres is fighting for his life in a Buenos Aires hospital after being shot in the head during an armed robbery .

The 40-year-old Caceres , who played for Argentina in the 1994 World Cup , was gunned down as a gang tried to steal his BMW car in the early hours of Sunday morning .

A bullet has reportedly entered his head through his right eye , and he remains in a coma in a grave condition .

Caceres was visited by his former Boca Juniors teammate and national coach Diego Maradona , who clearly distressed , told reporters outside the hospital that crime was rife in the Argentine capital .

`` This is a time bomb , going out is a constant danger , '' Maradona told television station TyCSports .

`` This happens every day , nobody does anything and something must be done .

`` Caceres is in the hands of God and I hope it helps , '' Maradona added .

The attack happened in the Fort Apache area of Buenos Aires , which is where Manchester City star Carlos Tevez grew up , and is notorious for high crime levels .

Players from two of his former clubs , Argentinos Juniors and Independiente displayed a banner of support for him ahead of their later match in the Argentine league on Sunday .

Caceres won the league title with River Plate in 1991 and the European Cup Winners Cup with Spanish side Real Zaragoza in 1995 .

He played 24 games for Argentina , helping them to the Copa America in 1993 before appearing at the World Cup finals in the United States a year later .

Caceres ended his playing career at his original club of Argentinos Juniors in 2007 and has been coaching at Independiente .

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Former Argentina international Fernando Caceres in grave condition in hospital

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Caceres shot in the head as gang try to steal his BMW car in Buenos Aires

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Argentina football legend Diego Maradona visits Caceres in hospital

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40-year-old Caceres enjoyed a distinquished club and international career